So I've decided that because I love talking about movies, books, television shows, video games, etc so much that it might be a good idea to create a forum in which I can post my thoughts about these things. Hence, this new blog.
For the first post , I thought I would start with a list of 100 movie scenes that I consider to be my personal favorites. Each entry has a brief (or not so brief) explanation about why I love the scene as well as a link to the scene if possible. While there's a lot more than these 100 entries, I decided that 100 was as small a number I should use without getting too complicated. Of note about this list is although there's 100 moments I don't have a definite ranking of them but I figured I would organize the list in a manner as similar to a ranking as possible because that's what people prefer with these list. . So without a due here are the scenes that would roughly be considered rankings 100 -81.
(Note because some entries are ending scenes or scenes with a plot twist, YOU SHOULD EXPECT SPOILERS)
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100. Ending, The Grey
The Grey was a very depressing movie, and the ending
was especially depressing because it’s a cliff hanger that doesn’t exactly bode
well for Liam Neeson even if he beats the wolf pack's leaders. Still, even if we never
got to see who won, I still find it to be a beautiful scene because of the
piano solo, the poem, Neeson’s acceptance of his probable death, and the
general ambiguity of the final outcome.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9hnYXb9y9I
99. On Your Feet Maggot, Edge of Tomorrow
Edge of Tomorrow ended up being a fantastic film,
and one of my favorites, in no part due to how it managed to insert a fair
amount of black comedy in with all of the action sequences. This scene
(starting at 1:57 in the video) especially stood out because of how in 30
seconds Tom Cruise’s received pretty much all of the flack and abuse society wishes he would suffer. The montage is perfectly edited and I always find the nasty drill
sergeant’s final line to be hilarious.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nt5-jqINAdo&list=PLk0Hd0vmvFM9gzEALe-4fI0FTAERXsCQh&index=18
98. Prometory, Last of the Mohicans
The Last of the Mohicans is a beautiful movie and as
sad as this scene is, it’s incredible. This is due in no part because of
the epic accompanying music. The scene doesn’t need any dialogue because the
music matches the scene’s highlights (Alice’s and Uncas’ deaths,
Chingachgook’s unstoppable rampage, and Magua taking his defeat in stride)
perfectly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kokNYGWip0A
97. Riding the Bomb, Dr. Strangelove
What can I say? This scene is iconic for a reason. I
thought it was a very funny way to end one of the greatest satires in movie
history. Plus there’s just something so heartwarming about how Major Kong has the time of his life as he’s straddling that bomb.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snTaSJk0n_Y
96. He Lives in You, The Lion King
The Lion King is one of my favorite Disney movies
and this is my favorite scene from it. I remember as a kid being both scared
and awed by it because of its majestic qualities (James Earl Jones’
voice, the soundtrack, and all of the life lessons the scene gives to both Simba and the
audience).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=webd8-P05p8
95. This is My Family, Lilo & Stitch
Take away the sci fi elements, the humorous
aliens, and the wanton destruction and Lilo & Stitch is at its core a Disney film about
a bunch of weirdos and outcasts coming together and realizing they are an ohana
regardless of their background, or species for that matter. For me it was
especially sweet and perfect that one of the film’s main messages was provided
by the film’s pint-size ball of destruction known as Stitch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PzvCjQVpk4
94. Second Post-Credits scene, The Avengers
This scene has Joss Whedon written all over it.
After two hours of super hero antics it was nice and hilarious to just see
these larger than life characters hanging out and eating. Bonus points go
to it for having been shot the day after the world premiere and added just
before the film got a wider release. Even more bonus points go to how it
introduced me to shawarma.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2R1Zufvve2Y
93. Airport scene, Godzilla
The 2014 American Godzilla, while very enjoyable and
well made, was disappointing because there ultimately wasn’t enough footage of
the titular character. When he did make an appearance though it was always
awesome, especially this scene. I liked it because it starts with a slow build
that only gives the audience glimpses of the big guy (something that might not
work for the film as a whole but was very effective here) and also because it
ended with that roar. That. Roar. A roar that would make even Chuck Norris and
Liam Neeson wet their pants.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnq0PIDsq4U&list=PLk0Hd0vmvFM85Pc0Ul1tSEguBmBSf9jxM&index=19
92. Carbon Freezing Chamber, The Empire Strikes Back
I think this scene perfectly defines Empire Strikes
Back. The Empire is winning and things are looking really bad for the Rebels
but there’s still an underlying feeling of hope and defiance in their actions
even as they accept that Han is going to be painfully, and possibly fatally,
frozen alive. The scene is also great because it has one of the greatest
improvised lines ever (Han’s “I know”)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-AmHZ17gWM
91. Ending, The Silence of the Lamb
While Mads Mikkelsen’s Hannibal Lecter might be my
favorite portrayal of the character, Anthony Hopkins comes in a close second.
This scene for me captures his portrayal perfectly because of the fear you feel
seeing him loose in the world again and making dinner plans with those who
wronged him (jerks they may be). This scene is one of many reasons why Hopkins deserved that Oscar for the role.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09TAIcCqFpg
90. Hospital scene, The Dark Knight
When everyone thinks of Heath Ledger’s portrayal of
the Joker, they usually think of the iconic “Why so serious” scene. For me
though I always think of this scene because it’s the only peek we’re ever going
to get of what goes on inside his mind. It’s also the better scene in terms of
highlighting what a master chess player this Joker is as he decisively tears
down Harvey Dent and puts him on the path to destroy everything Dent worked so
hard to build. The fantastic conversation aside, this scene is a favorite of
mine because Heath Ledger’s real life reaction to the explosives not working
properly during filming was a PERFECT improvisation that was completely in character.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsLYoqjgl_Y
89. Ending, Casino Royale
After two and half hours of reinventing James Bond
as a dark and gritty character that fits the taste of modern moviegoers, Casino
Royale wisely decided to finish the film by harking back to the franchise’s
roots and using one of the character’s most iconic qualities the catch phrase.
For me, Craig’s badass delivery of the catchphrase is the best usage of it in
all of the Bond films thus far.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky5BC3-qwGM
88. Opening Credits, Watchmen
While I’m not a Zack Snyder fan at all, I’ll concede
that his adaptation of Watchmen was decent. While the film itself left a lot to
be desired, the opening credits were incredible. For me this was the perfect
way to set up the film’s backstory and history without wasting time with clunky
exposition.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1X7aaUf5Fjw
87. Hook’s first appearance, Hook
Hook was one of my favorite movies growing up as a
kid and thus Dustin Hoffman remains my quintessential Captain Hook. I
particularly love his first appearance because it showed how there’s a cult of
personality in this version and also shows that he can say some pretty
degrading things about his crew and get away with it because of their ignorance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9SVfXVKxYA
86. Sir Francis vs Red Rackham, The Adventures
of Tintin
It’s a damn shame not many people saw The Adventures
of Tintin when it first came out because it is a beautifully animated film, with this scene as a particularly noteworthy one. For me, this is the type of exciting action scenes the
Pirates of the Caribbean sequels SHOULD have had.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9EnCOaX7-g
85. Boardroom Scene, Dogma
Dogma is one of the most underrated comedies ever in
my opinion. Say what you will about Kevin Smith’s pretentious attitude or Ben
Affleck’s acting ability, I honestly think Dogma is one of the funniest films
ever. This scene in particular had me on the floor in stitches when I first saw
it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWshPH_jsjQ
84. Inigo’s Revenge, Princess Bride
After a movie’s worth of Inigo Montoya practicing
the pre-mortem one liner he intends to give to the Six-Fingered Man, the
Princess Bride finally delivered their confrontation in an awesome duel.
For me I always thought the second part of the fight was the highlight because
its such a fist-pumping moment to see Inigo get back up after being almost
killed and then proceed to give the Six-Fingered Man the beating of a lifetime.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTrY0nJp2DQ
83. Inigo vs The Dread Pirate Roberts, Princess
Bride
Of all the swashbuckling sword fights I’ve seen this
is probably the best. For me it’s the fact that it’s supposed to be a be a
fight to the death and yet the duelists are so polite to each other and are
having a pretty casual conversation while it’s happening. It’s just such a fun
and funny scene.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-66KBi_NM0
82. Ghost Knights/Soldiers vs Nazis, Bedknobs and
Broomsticks
Long before Inglorious Basterds’ bar scene, this was
my go to scene for watching the Nazis getting their butts handed to them. Old
and cheesy though it might be, there’s no debating that the effects of the
scene are good and that there’s something immensely amusing about the looks on
the Nazis’ faces when they realize how much trouble they’re in for getting on
Angela Lansbury’s bad side.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjNKrN3e7l8
81. Lieutenant Dan’s Swim , Forrest Gump
While there are a ton of great scenes in Forrest
Gump, some of which are definitely more iconic, I always found this scene to be
one of the better ones. There’s just something so endearing and heartwarming
about how after a movie’s worth of Lieutenant Dan acting like a surly bastard
he finally finds some measure of calmness and thanks Forrest for saving his
life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqAbjHKO5jM
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